October 30, 2007 - Permalink - No comments
Amongst all nice places we did visit during our sailing journey was certainly HYDRA.
Not so far away from Athens, Hydra has everything one searches in the Greek islands.
White and blue houses, a nice and busy port, plenty of shops and even more terrases.
Here is what Star Clippers cruise company writes about Hydra :
It looks barren and rocky, but the narrow harbor of Hydra hides a surprise, a
town of stately mansions all built around 1800 by blockade runners who had made
fortunes outwitting the British during the Napoleonic Wars. Many of Hydra's
merchants were also celebrated naval heroes during the Greek fight for
independence from Turkey in the 1820s. Another surprise is that there are no
cars, so if you want to see the spectacular view from the Monastery of Ilias
you'll have to ride a donkey to the top.
Additionally you have to know that Leonard Cohen stayed on this island for a while and he composed even a few world hits here!
Tags: 
Athens, Greece, 
Grrek island, Hydra, Leonard cohen, Sightseeing from athens, Star clippers, Star flyer
Rating: 2.3225806451613/5 (31 ratings, 5003 views)
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October 29, 2007 - Permalink - No comments
The finest of all landings we did with our sailing ship the Star Flyer, was Santorini.
Such a beautiful volcano island in the middle of the deep blue mediterranean Sea.
It starts already when arriving. Through an immersed crater wall one enters the volcano crater.
We had to go ashore with a tender and than we had climb the crater wall. We could make a choice in between a) a mule climb (pittoresk) b) an elevator and c) walking.
Of course we have choosen for the 'walking'
Once on the crater rim, you can have a walk along the rim with fascinating romantic views of the inondated crater and the white and blue colors of the houses.
What an experience!
A little volcano history :
Santorini is one of the 5 volcanic centers making up the southern Aegean
volcanic arc. Coming out from the deep blue sea, the volcanic cliffs are
topped with white houses and churches.
Layer upon layer of red volcanic rock form a visual demonstration found nowhere
else on earth.
The Kameni island in front of Santorini is still active. The latest eruption of steam and ash dates back from 1928!
Hotels in Santorini
Tags: Greece, Inondated crater lake, Mule climb, Rim walk, Santorini, Valcano island, White and blue, White houses
Rating: 2.1739130434783/5 (23 ratings, 4237 views)
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October 29, 2007 - Permalink - No comments
With our Star Flyer sailing ship we arrived in the port very near to the city gate (5 minutes walking).
Rhodos city is a medieval wall embraced city with great shopping arcades and even more terrasses.
Modern history of Rhodos city :
The English bombs that fell on the medieval city of Rhodes in 1944 claimed human lives and destroyed a great number of buildings, leaving large gaps in the urban tissue. One of the first Decrees of the Greek administration designated those areas as reserved for future excavations and a number of edifices as safeguarded buildings.
In 1957, a new city plan was approved by a Decree and in 1960 the entire medieval town was designated as a protected monument by the Ministry of Culture. In 1961 and 1963 new Decrees were issued concerning the new city plan. They provided for the widening of existing streets and the opening of new ones. These were not implemented in the old city due to the resistance of the Archaeological Service. In 1988, the old town of Rhodes was designated as a World Heritage City by UNESCO.
Tags: Bars, Greece, Rhodes, Rhodos, Shopping heaven, Terrasses, World heritage site
Rating: 2.1/5 (10 ratings, 3636 views)
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October 29, 2007 - Permalink - 1 comment
Skiing in Grindelwald, in the Jungfrau region is one of the most beautiful experiences someone can have.
Of course you need acceptable weather, but if this is the case - you are surrounded by Europe's most beautiful giants.
Mountains like Jungfrau, Mönch, Eiger Nordwad are within reach.
Modern lift equipment brings you to the Scheidegg train station area.
From there on you can ski down to Grindelwald, Wengen, etc.
Did you ever skied where a James Bond movie was filmed. Here you ca !
The Shilthorn summit was the prlce for a spectacular movie part. In winter you can do the same without helicopter stuntwork.
Although the level is not snow guaranteed (not as high as the ski aereas in France
Hotels in Grindelwald - click here
----------------------
Ski Regions in and near Grindelwald
Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen
Lies in the heart of the Jungfrau Region and at the foot of the world-famous Eiger North Face. The Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen ski paradise comprises of 19 modern lifts and 110 beautifully prepared slopes and belongs to the most popular winter sport regions in Switzerland.
Grindelwald-First
Bärgelegg-Snowpark, Grindel-Superpipe, Oberjoch-Run with timing, Boardercross, 50 km of skiing fun and even a "30 limit" zone, the Grindelwald-First ski area is an absolute must for ski and snowboard fans and those aspiring to be it.
Mürren-Schilthorn Mürren
At an altitude of 1'650 m - 3'000 m, Mürren-Schilthorn is the highest winter sport resort in the Bernese Oberland and guarantees optimal ski conditions well into spring.
Bodmi
With it's sunny location and beginner's lift, the nursery slope on Bodmi is the ideal area for beginners of all ages.
Tags: Eiger nordwand, First, Grindelwald, Grosse scheidegg, Kleine scheidegg, Manlichen, Männlichen, Mönch, Mürren, Murren, Shilthorn, Ski areas grindelwald, Skiing, Switzerland, Wengen
Rating: 2.7910447761194/5 (67 ratings, 7852 views)
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October 26, 2007 - Permalink - 1 comment
As we went skiing with 3 couples, we preferred a condominium rental above a hotel stay.
It is much more cozy for apres-ski than sitting all the time in hotel bars.
We were very fortunate with this rental as we enjoyed the space and the luxury at 100%
Unfortunately there was no whirlpool or swiing pool.
The condominium was located near the complimentary besstop or near one ot the chair lifts
+
Skiing in Breckenridge is GREAT!
Tags: Apartment, Breckenridge, Colorado, Complimentary bus rides, Condominium, Skking breckenridge, United states
Rating: 3.1754385964912/5 (57 ratings, 3179 views)
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October 24, 2007 - Permalink - No comments
During my 1 week skiholiday in Colorado, we also went (out of Vail) for a 1 day skiing trip to Aspen.
Aspen maybe world famous for the 'Celebrities' on the slopes, but we enjoyed Vail much better than Aspen.
It might have been the bad weather (it was snowing al the time), but the terrain in Vail is more diverse than in Aspen.
What we liked in Aspen were the Christmas Lighted streets and the 'expensive' shops with beautiful clothes and jewelry.
Also nice in Aspen is the free shuttle one can take while parking in the village parking.
Aspen is a *** skiing area to my opinion.
Tags: Aspen, Aspen parking, Colorado, Skiing in aspen, United states
Rating: 2.6842105263158/5 (19 ratings, 3197 views)
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October 24, 2007 - Permalink - No comments
While skiing in Vail Colorado we enjoyed our condominium aprtment very well.
I had all confort and the most modern equipment.
Is was an apartment in a greater complex.
As common services, we had sauna, whirlpool (inside and outside) , swimming pool, Turkish bath, etc.
A free continental breakfast was served for all guests of the complex.
And for computer users, it had FREE wifi for all guests.
The building was just in front of the public parking and next to the icefree village streets of Vail.
Ski lifts where at 150 meter walking.
+ most important, Vail has GREAT skiing and wondeful backbowls
I liked Vail a lot - it gets from me a score of ****
Tags: Backbowls, Colorado, Free wifi, Icefree streets, Skiing, Swimming pool condominiums, United states, Vail
Rating: 3.0909090909091/5 (11 ratings, 3013 views)
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October 17, 2007 - Permalink - 1 comment
In 2006 i travelled was for a short break holiday to the island of Madeira.
We stayed overnight in a few quinta's (Madeira villa's) and made walks in a couple of valleys. One of them was Quinta Jardin do Lago in Funchal
Madeira is a claud catcher, as the atlantic clouds try to invade the slopes of the island.
The clauds make easy and intermediate strenght walks affordable.
I also did ride the Tobagan, a sary fut sfae ride downhill.
Tags: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Rating: 2.4137931034483/5 (58 ratings, 3016 views)
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October 14, 2007 - Permalink - 1 comment
While cruising the Meditterenean sea, we landed in Sorrento and booked an excursion to Positano.
What a beautiful small village. Today it is completely touristic as it is so beautiful.Cute, cozy, a lot of fantastic shops. When you look at returning visitors everyone has bags.
Positano comes certainly in my top 5 of cutest villages ever visited.
Positano is located at the Amalfi Coast and not so far away from Naples.
Tags: Amalfi, Amalfi coast, Art shops, Cute village, Flower villages, Italy, Positano, Shops, Sightseeing
Rating: 2.8026315789474/5 (76 ratings, 3985 views)
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October 14, 2007 - Permalink - No comments
When we arrived at Valencia airport we saw a lot of bilboards mentionning 'Amarica Cup' sailing.
While sightseeing in Valencia we arrived at the port and saw a big crowd along the port terminals.
Beautiful woman dressed in expensive clothes and a lot of advertisemnt for Champagne !
Something must go on here. Indeed, Valencia has the rights of organising America's cup for several years and we where accidentically right in it now.
Without paying anything we could bike and stroll along the different stands. We enjoyed a full day doing this. We saw all the participants ships and crew getting out and coming back in to the port.
Tags: America cup, America's cup, Emirates team, Iberdrola team, Port of valencia, Sailing, Sailing tournament, Spain, Valencia, Valencia harbour
Rating: 2.1666666666667/5 (30 ratings, 5541 views)
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